Switch plate safety cover



Dec. 9, 1941.

W. L. MARPLE SWITCH PLATE SAFETY COVER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M EN AT W O R K REPAIRMANS ANGER Inventor M/J'am A. fl/Q rfi/e A iiorney Dec. 9, 1941. w. L. MARPLE 2,265,438

SWITCH PLATE SAFETY COVER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jijo {5 1 flf'y 6" 1n ventor '//1 0% A. Ma i A tio rney Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,265,438 SWITCH PLATE SAFETY COVER William L. Marple, Leadville, 0010.

Application November 1, 1940, Serial No. 363,933

Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in covers for switch plates adapted to protect the switch and prevent use thereof while the machinery operated by the circuit which is controlled by the switch is undergoing repair and thus prevent possible injury to the workmen.

The present invention is designed primarily for use in factories and other industrial places, where push button and other switch plates are provided for controlling electrically operated machinery and the invention has for an important object to provide means to prevent the accidental operation of the switch so as to maintain the circuit closed while the machinery is undergoing repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety cover for the switch plate which is adapted to be adjustably secured in position over the switch and which further embodies mean for locking the cover in position.

An additional object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable in performance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevational View,

Figure 2 is a rear elevational View,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 3--3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pivoted locking plate for the adjusting screw,

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the upper clamping plate,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled cover,

Figure '7 is a rear elevational view of the lower clamping plate with the bottom clamping flange shown in section, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates an upper clamping plate member provided with inturned vertical side edges 6 and an inturned upper edge 1 terminating at its inner edge with a downturned flange 8. Adjacent the lower portion of the plate 5 is an opening 9 adapted to receive a bolt l0 and wing nut l l the bolt being inserted through a vertical slot [2 formed in a lower clamping plate [3. The lower clamping plate I3 is positioned against the inner side of the plate 5 and between the inturned side edges 6, as shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawings, and the lower edge of the plate 13 is provided with an inturned edge 14 terminating in an upwardly extending flange l5.

As shown to advantage in Figure 6 of the drawings, the flanges 8 and [5 are adapted to engage behind or to engage the edges of a switch plate l6 usually provided with switches of the push button type, the bolt and wing nut l0 and II respectively serving to secure the upper and lower plates in a position for covering the front of the switch plate IS.

The intermediate portion of the upper plate member 5 is provided with a pair of spaced outwardly struck ears I1 and adjacent the bottom edge of the plate 5 is a single outwardly struck ear l8. A pin I9 is supported on the ears I! and pivoted on the pin is a smaller cover plate 20 of U-shape form in cross section as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the cover plate 20 being pivoted on the pin at a point adjacent its upper end. The flanges 2| on the vertical side edges of the plate 20 are adapted to abut the outer surface of the plate 5 whereby to space the plate 20 outwardly therefrom in a position for covering the wing nut H.

One of the flanges Zl', adjacent its lower edge is provided with an opening 22 and the ear I8 is also provided with an opening 23, said openings being arranged in alignment when the cover plate 20 is in its downwardly closed position and through said openings may be inserted a locking device, such as shown by the padlock indicated by the dotted lines at 24 to secure the cover plate 20 against opening movement and thus prevent tampering with the wing nut l I.

When it is desired to release the clamping plates 5 and I3, the lock is removed and the cover plate 20 swung upwardly into the dotted line position shown in Figure 6 and the wing nut ll may then be loosened to release the clamping plates.

A sign plate 25 may be secured to the plate 5 adjacent its upper portion and a plurality of prongs 26 are struck out from the plate 5 immediately beneath the sign for supporting a name plate thereon (not shown) to identify the name of the workman who is repairing the machinery, or for other purposes.

It is believed the details of construction. ad-

vantages and manner of use of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing without further detailed explanation.

What I claim is:

e 1. A switch plate locking device comprising a pair of switch plate cover members adapted to cover the front of the plate and having clamping jaws for gripping opposite portions of the switch plate, means for securing the members to each other in adjustable switch plate clamping position and a locking cover for said first named means.

2. A switch plate locking devicecomprising a pair of cooperating switch plate clamping mem bers adapted to cover the front of the-plate, switch plate gripping means on each clamping member, means for securing the clamping me'mbers to each other in adjustable switch plate clamping position, a cover plate for saidsecuring means and means for locking the cover plate incovering position.

3. A switch plate locking device comprising a pair of cooperating switch plate clamping members adapted to cover the front of the plate, switch plate gripping means on each clamping member, means for securing the clamping members to each other in adjustable switch plate clamping position, a hinged cover plate adapted to overlie the said securing means and means for locking the cover plate in closed position.

4. A switch plate locking device comprising a pair of cover plate members one end portion of each plate being in overlapping relation with respect to the other plate, gripping means at the other ends of the members for engaging a switch plate, means adjustably securing the overlapping ends of the members against separating movement and a hinged cover carried by one of said members forcovering said adjustable securing means.

5. A switch plate locking device comprising a 7 pair of cover plate members one end portion of each plate being in overlapping relation with respect to the other plate, gripping means at the other ends of the members for engaging a switch plate, means adjustably securing the overlapping ends of the members against separating move- I ment, a hinged cover carried by one of said members. for covering said adjustable securing means, said hinged cover and said one member having alined openings and a locking device insertable in said openings to secure 'the hinged cover in closed position.

WILLIAM L. MARPLE. 

